For once, I agree with the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan – why the US Department of Justice (DOJ) brought up the US$27.3 million diamond necklace bought from 1MDB laundered funds if it did not intend seize it in its kleptocratic civil litigation to forfeit 1MDB-linked assets!

Is the Cabinet meeting tomorrow going to challenge the US DOJ to apply to the US Court in California to also forfeit Rosmah Mansor’s US$27.3 million pink diamond necklace? Read the rest of this entry »

I am very intrigued by the speech of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in Kedah yesterday that PAS had been bullied by DAP in Pakatan Rakyat – that “PAS has had enough of DAP, it was bullied when it was with DAP, so much so it gave up and ran away”.

Najib said despite their differences of opinion, the government under UMNO has its principles of struggle and PAS sees the UMNO struggle as leaning towards the importance of Muslim dignity which makes UMNO likable to PAS.

I will reserve comment on whether UMNO is upholding the dignity of Muslims and Islam with a pink diamond and other precious jewellery items turning Malaysia overnight into a “global kleptocracy”, or whether the PAS leadership has embraced these kleptocratic developments as marks of Islamic dignity and leadership. Read the rest of this entry »

Loyal and patriotic Malaysian cannot but feel deep shame and mortification reading the online report this morning of a leading United States newspaper, New York Times, “Billions’ worth of Baubles Could Wind Up in U.S. Hands in 1MDB Case” with the following opening paragraphs:

“You can almost hear Robin Leach narrating the introduction to an episode of ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ by describing a luxury yacht, diamond jewelry, a Picasso painting, and real estate in New York, Beverly Hills and London.

“All those baubles — and much more — may end up in the hands of the federal government as the Justice Department filed its latest asset forfeiture lawsuit in Federal District Court in Los Angeles seeking an additional $540 million in goods obtained from looting a Malaysian investment fund, bringing the total sought to $1.7 billion.

“Prosecutors may not be able to convict the individuals involved in suspect transfers, but an important tool in the federal arsenal lets them seize assets that are tied to foreign corruption, even if none of the criminal conduct took place within this country.

“The complaint details how 1 Malaysia Development Berhad, known as 1MDB, raised money by selling bonds that would help fund development in the country. The Justice Department claims that from 2009 through 2014, over $4.5 billion was diverted to benefit those with ties to Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak, who ostensibly oversaw the fund, including as much as $1 billion funneled to accounts he may have controlled.”Read the rest of this entry »

You can almost hear Robin Leach narrating the introduction to an episode of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” by describing a luxury yacht, diamond jewelry, a Picasso painting, and real estate in New York, Beverly Hills and London.

All those baubles — and much more — may end up in the hands of the federal government as the Justice Department filed its latest asset forfeiture lawsuit in Federal District Court in Los Angeles seeking an additional $540 million in goods obtained from looting a Malaysian investment fund, bringing the total sought to $1.7 billion.

Prosecutors may not be able to convict the individuals involved in suspect transfers, but an important tool in the federal arsenal lets them seize assets that are tied to foreign corruption, even if none of the criminal conduct took place within this country.

The complaint details how 1 Malaysia Development Berhad, known as 1MDB, raised money by selling bonds that would help fund development in the country. The Justice Department claims that from 2009 through 2014, over $4.5 billion was diverted to benefit those with ties to Malaysia’s prime minister, Najib Razak, who ostensibly oversaw the fund, including as much as $1 billion funneled to accounts he may have controlled. Read the rest of this entry »